Rotary switches

ABSTRACT

Miniature rotary switches for use in digital display watches as manually operable time-correcting means comprise a unitary frame of electrically insulating material having a first frame portion substantially perpendicular to a second frame portion, the first frame portion supporting a rotatable member having a cylindrical conductor-carrying rotor section cooperable with a plurality of contact members supported by the second frame portion. Various four-position, four-terminal switches having different rotor conductor configurations are provided for selectively producing at two of the terminals any of four different two-bit binary control signals. Dual cam detent means provide a rotary switch with two maintained angular positions between two momentary angular positions.

United States Patent [191 Bryceland [451 Nov. 25, 1975 I 1 ROTARY SWITCHES [75] Inventor: Maurice Cyril Bryceland, Dover,

[21] Appl. No.: 440,478

[52] [1.5. CI ZOO/II R; 200/17 R, ZOO/26; 200/336 [51] Int. Cl. HOIH 3/50; HOlH 21/50 [58] Field of Search 200/8 R, 8 A, 23, 24, 26, ZOO/303,275, 11 C, 17,336

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,133,783 3/1915 Apple 200/8 1,633,825 6/1927 Prescottm. 200/26 1,718,478 6/1929 Morse 4 200/8 A 2,215,714 9/1940 Peck 4 200/168 2,277,899 3/1942 Aufiero 44 200/24 2,662,954 12/1953 Snow 200/155 2,700,088 l/1955 Snyder 4. 1111 200/166 2,723,327 11/1955 Gilbert 4 4 4 4 4 200/298 2,855,488 10/1958 Willcox et al..4 200/168 3,183,334 5/1965 Grebe 4 4 4 200/166 3,247,435 4/1966 Blumhart et al. 318/332 3,290,463 12/1966 Johnson 4 4 4 4 200/67 3,488,841 H1970 Stern 4 29/630 3,632,911 l/l972 Endou 4. 200/24 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,525,502 l/l967 France .4 ZOO/291 1,261,604 12/1960 France .4 200/8 A 938,398 5/1948 France 4 4 20018 893,008 H1944 France .4 200/8 725,626 2/1932 France 4 200/8 721,328 6/1942 Germany 200/11 OTHER PUBLICATIONS H. Mastmann, Pin Side Contact Assy., IBM Tech Dis closure Bulletin of Oct. '70, pp, 1233-1234.

Primary ExaminerRobert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-John W. Redman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Shapiro and Shapiro [57] ABSTRACT Miniature rotary switches for use in digital display watches as manually operable time-correcting means comprise a unitary frame of electrically insulating material having a first frame portion substantially perpendicular to a second frame portion, the first frame portion supporting a rotatable member having a cylindrical conductor-carrying rotor section cooperable with a plurality of contact members supported by the second frame portion Various four-position, four-terminal switches having different rotor conductor configurations are provided for selectively producing at two of the terminals any of four different two-bit binary con trol signals. Dual cam detent means provide a rotary switch with two maintained angular positions between two momentary angular positions.

32 Claims, 32 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 2 of7 3,922,509

ROTOR POSITION US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 5 of7 3,922,509

ROTARY SWITCHES This invention relates to rotary switches, and is more particularly directed to manually-operable miniature rotary switches for use as time-correcting switches in electronic digital-display watches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Electronic watches of the type having a digital display require manually operable time-correcting apparatus for enabling the owner to synchronize the displayed time with a time reference. Digital watches of the prior art have employed correcting arrangements in the form of a plurality of push buttons or a sliding member movable to a plurality of positions for correcting the different time-display portions (e.g., minutes and hours) of the display. However, in a wristwatch of small size it is difficult to arrange the buttons or the sliding member in a position for easy manual manipulation. Moreover, these arrangements do not provide the familiar feel of a conventional watch crown.

It has been proposed (see, for example, US. Pat. No. 3,733,803) to provide for use in a digital display watch time-correcting apparatus actuated by a conventional watch crown, the crown being axially movable between a normal run position and a time-correcting position to operate a switch for respectively connecting and disconnecting the timing signal input of the display logic from the time-keeping signal and being rotatable in the time-correcting position to different angular positions to operate a rotary switch for selectively connecting one of several pulse trains of different frequencies to the timing signal input of the display logic for advancing or retarding the time displayed by the amount required to effect correction. This rotary switch arrangement has limitations; it requires both axial and rotary movement of the watch crown. Also, it does not permit the hour portion of the display to be corrected independently of the minute portion of the display, as is desirable, for example, when the owner of the watch travels to a different time zone or when the local time is changed to or from daylight saving time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is to provide improved miniature rotary switches and, more particularly, to provide miniature rotary switches for use as the time-correcting means in electronic watches of the type having a digital time display.

Pursuant to the foregoing primary object, another object of the invention is to provide miniature rotary switches having four angular switch positions for providing independently selectable run", "hold", "minute set, and hour set" control signals.

Another object of the invention is to provide fourterminal four-position switches of the above-described type having improved simplified rotor constructions for selectively connecting two output terminals to the same one or to different ones of two input terminals which are coupled to high and low logic voltages, respectively, for generating four different two-bit binary control signals.

Still another object of the invention is to provide rotary switches having an improved detent arrangement for forming two maintained angular switch positions between two momentary angular positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide rotary switches having unitary insulating frames of rugged construction.

Rotary switches in accordance with the invention comprise a unitary frame of insulating material having a first frame portion substantially perpendicular to a second frame portion. The frame may be generally L- shaped or O-shaped. Supported in an opening in the first frame portion is a rotatable member having a conductor-carrying rotor section cooperable with a plurality of elongated contact members supported by the second frame portion substantially perpendicularly relative to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member.

In a four-position rotary switch made in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, first and second rotor conductors each having cylindrical surface portions in first and second circumferential bands of the rotor section are cooperable with four contact members for selectively connecting two of the contact members to the same one or to different ones of the other two contact members.

In a four-position rotary switch made in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a first conductor has surface portions in first and second circumferential bands of the rotor and a second conductor has surface portions in the second band and in a third circumferential band of the rotor, the conductors selectively providing different interconnections of six contact members, which may be electrically interconnected by an end cap to provide a four-terminal switch for selectively connecting two of the terminals to the same one or to different ones of the other two terminals.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the rotatable member has a first cam cooperable with a first camming surface provided by detent means for resiliently opposing movement of the rotatable member between a plurality of maintained angular positions within a predetermined range of rotation and has a second cam cooperable with a second camming surface provided by the detent means for resilient opposing movement of the rotatable member from the predetermined range for thereby providing at least one momentary position outside that range.

The above-described objects and advantages of the invention and other advantages and improved results will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the drawings which show the switches on an enlarged scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a rotary switch in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the switch of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic 360 view of the rotor section of the switch of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 7 11 are views of the individual components of the rotor section shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a detent arrangement in accordance with the invention, the switch frame being shown in phantom;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the detent ar rangement of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14 17 are views of another detent arrangement in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, these views showing the relationship of parts for different angular positions of the rotor;

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic view showing the different interconnections of the contact members for the different angular positions of the rotor;

FIG. 19 is a plan view, partly broken away and in cross section, ofa rotary switch in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is an end elcvational view of the switch of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of the switch of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken approximately in the plane of the line 22-22 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 23-23 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 24 is a plan view, partly broken away and in cross section, of a rotary switch in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 25 is an end elevational view of the switch of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a side elevational view of the switch of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 2727 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 28 is an end elevational view similar to FIG. 25, this view showing a cap fixed to the end of the switch;

FIG. 29 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 29-29 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 30 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 30-30 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 31 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 31-31 of FIG. 24; and

FIG. 32 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 32-32 of FIG. 24.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, a rotary switch in accordance with the invention essentially comprises a frame A, a rotatable member B supported by the frame and having a conductor-carrying rotor section C, a plurality of contact members D cooperable with the rotor section, and detent means E cooperable with the rotatable member.

Referring to FIG. 1, frame A comprises a generally O-shaped unitary piece of electrically insulating material such as a suitable thermoplastic resin compound formed by injection molding. If desired, the frame may be made by compression molding a suitable thermosetting resin copound. The frame has spaced parallel frame or side portions and 14 coupled by spaced side portions 12 and 16 which are perpendicular to side portions 10 and 14. Supported in cylindrical openings 18 and in side portions 12 and 16, respectively, is a rotatable member B comprising a rotary shaft 22 carrying a rotor section C having conductors 24 and 26 thereon, as shown in FIG. 2. The rotatable member is maintained in the openings in the frame by a collar 28 fixed to one end of the shaft and flange 30 of the shaft, shown best in FIG. 5. Projecting end 32 of the shaft is adapted to be coupled to manually engageable actuating means, preferably a conventional watch crown 34 4 (shown in phantom) when the rotary switch is used in a watch as the time-correcting means.

Leaf spring contact members Dl-D4, preferably gold-plated beryllium copper. are supported by the frame with their elongated contact arm portions Dla-D4a perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member. The rotor section C and the frame A are dimensioned and related to bias the arm portions into radial contact with the rotor section, as shown in FIG. 2. Portions Dlb-D4b of the contact members extend outwardly from the frame to form the terminals of the switch. As shown in FIG. 3, contact members D1 and D2 are maintained in recesses 36 and 38, respectively, in side portion 10 of the frame by an insulating cap held against that side portion by a spring clip 42. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, contact members D3 and D4 are maintained in recesses 44 and 46, respectively, in side portion 14 of the frame by an insulating cap 48 held against that side portion by a spring clip 50.

Referring to FIG. 5, a detent member E, slidably supported in a recess 54 in the frame for movement along an axis perpendicular to and intersecting the axis of rotation of the rotatable member, is biased into contact with the rotatable member B by a coil spring 55 for providing the switch with maintained and momentary positions in a manner which will be described in detail later.

FIG. 6 illustrates the preferred embodiment of a rotor section C constructed in accordance with the present invention for use in a four-position switch having four contact members, such as the rotary switch illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, for electrically connecting the first and fourth contact members to the same one or to different ones of the second and third contact members to provide a different interconnection of the contact members for each switch position, this view showing the 360 periphery of the rotor section laid out in a single plane. As will be described with more particularity below, a first conductor 24 selectively connects the third contact member to either one or both of the first and fourth contact members, while a second conductor 26 selectively connects the second contact member to either one or both of the first and fourth contact members. The construction of the rotor section will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6-11. An insulating hub 58 (FIG. 9), having a square-shaped opening 60 therethrough for securing the hub to the rotary shaft 22, has end portions 62 and 64 received by conductor 24 (FIG. 8) and conductor 26 (FIG. 10), respectively, for supporting the conductors in spaced relation, areas 66 and 68 of the conductors extending through cutaway portions 70 and 72, respectively, on the hub flange 74 for preventing rotation of the conductors relative to the hub. As shown in FIG. 6, both conductors have cylindrical surface portions in each of two circumferential bands X and Y of the rotor section, the surface portions forming parts of a cylinder having its axis on the axis of rotation of rotatable member B. Conductor 24 has an L-shaped surface area with the short leg portion 66 in band Y and the long leg portion 78 in band X and has a rectangular surface area 80 in band X spaced from the L-shaped area. Similarly, conductor 26 has an L-shaped surface area with its short leg portion 68 in band X and its long leg portion 84 in band Y and has a rectangular surface area 86 in band Y spaced from the other cylindrical surface areas. End cap 88 (FIG. 7) and end cap 90 (FIG. 11) receive opposite ends of the rotor section, the end caps having cylindrical conductor surface portions which fill in the spaces 5 between the cylindrical conductor surface areas for forming a cylindrical rotor section C having both insulating and conductive surface areas.

The relationship of the contact members Dl-D4 and rotor section C of the rotary switch of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Contact members D1 and D2 are biased into contact with bands X and Y of rotor section C at points CI and C2, respectively, while contact members D3 and D4 are biased into contact with bands X and Y at points C3 and C4 on the oppo site side of the rotor section, contact points Cl and C2 being shown spaced from points C3 and C4 by 180 on the circumference of the rotor section. Rotor section C is rotatable through 180 into four angular positions spaced by 45, the positions of axially aligned contact points Cl and C2 relative to the rotor section being in dicated by rotor position numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4, while the positions of the axially aligned contact poins C3 and C4 relative to the rotor are indicated by rotor position numbers 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a. Accordingly, the positional relationship of rotor conductors 24 and 26 with respect to contact members Dl-D4 is as follows: The short leg portion 66 of conductor 24 contacts D4 when the rotor section is in positions 1 and 2, the long leg portion 78 contacting D1 in position 4 and contacting D3 in positions 1 and 2. Surface 80 of conductor 24 contacts D1 in position 1 and contacts D3 in position 4. The short leg portion 68 of conductor 26 contacts D1 in positions 2 and 3, the long leg portion 84 contacting D2 in positions 2, 3 and 4. Surface 86 of conductor 26 contacts D4 in positions 3 and 4. In other words, conductor 24 connects contact member D3 to both contact members D1 and D4 in position 1, to contact member D4 in position 2, to no contact member in position 3, and to contact member D1 in position 4. Similarly, conductor 26 connects contact member D2 to no contact member in position 1, to contact member D1 in position 2, to both contact members DI and D4 in position 3, and to contact member D4 in position 4.

The above-described rotor conductor configuration provides a four-position rotary switch for selectively connecting contact members D1 and D4 to the same one or to different ones of contact members D2 and D3, as shown in FIG. 18. Utilized in a binary logic circuit the switch may provide four different two-bit binary signals at contacts D1 and D4 by connecting contacts D2 and D3 to potentials corresponding to logic and logic I respectively, providing the following relationships of switch positions and two-bit binary signals:

Contacts Switch Position FIG. 18 illustrates the preferred relationship of switch positions, switch functions, and contact interconnections for the rotary switch utilized as the timecorrecting means in a digital display electronic watch.

FIGS. 1 and illustrate a preferred embodiment of a four-position detent arrangement in accordance with the invention for providing rotatable member B with two maintained angular positions between two momentary angular positions, the rotatable member being shown in one of the maintained positions. As shown in FIG. 5, a generally T-shaped detent member E is slid ably supported in a recess 54 in leg portion 12 of the frame for movement along an axis perpendicular to and intersecting the axis of rotation of the rotatable memher, the broad end of the detent member being slidably maintained in the recess against spaced shoulders 56 and S7 of the frame by rotor shaft flange 30 and the narrow end of the detent member being received by and movable through an opening 102 in projection 104 on side portion 12 of the frame. A coil spring 55 disposed in the recess encircles the detent member and is cooperable with end wall 91 of the recess and with biasing shoulders 92 and 94 on the detent member for bias ing the detent member into contact with the rotatable member B.

As shown in FIGSv 5, 14, and 16, a first cam 95 comprising surfaces 96 and 98 on rotor shaft flange 30 in a first plane of rotation of the rotatable member is cooperable with a first camming surface, preferably a pin 100 projecting from the detent member in a direction perpendicular to the axis of sliding movement of the detent member, for resiliently opposing movement of the rotatable member between two maintained positions in a predetermined range of angular rotation. As shown in FIG. 5, the headed-over end 101 of pin 100 is movable between shoulders 56 and 57 in the recess so as not to restrict sliding movement of the detent member. A second cam 105 on the rotary shaft, preferably in a different plane of rotation than the first cam, comprises planar surfaces 106 and 108 intersecting at the axis of rotation of the rotatable member and cooperable with a second camming surface, preferably the planar end 110 of the detent member, for resiliently opposing movement of the rotatable member to positions outside the predetermined range of positions to thereby provide first and second momentary positions on either side of that range.

Operation of the detent arrangement of the switch of FIGS. l-S will be described with reference to FIGS. 14-17, reference also being made to FIG. 18 to show the relationship of switch positions to switch functions when the switch is employed as the time-correcting switch in a digital-display watch. FIG. 14 illustrates rotatable member B in the maintained run" position (position 3 of FIG. 18), pin 100 being biased against cam surface 96 to maintain the surface 108 of the shaft in parallel contact with end 110 of detent member E. Rotation of the rotatable member in a clockwise direction to the hour set position shown in FIG. 15 (position 4 of FIG. 18) causes the peripheral edge 112 of rotary shaft surface 108 to move the detent member against spring 55, forcing the narrow end of the detent member through opening 102 in the frame. Frame A is provided with an outwardly projecting stop 114 which is adapted to abut surface 116 of the rotor shaft flange 30 for limiting clockwise movement of the rotatable member to the position shown in FIG. 15. When the torque applied to the rotatable member for holding it in the position shown in FIG. 15 is released. end 110 of the detent member, being biased toward the axis of rotation of the rotatable member, acts against peripheral edge 112 of surface 108 of the rotor shaft to return the rotatable member to the position shown in FIG. 14, thereby providing a momentary hour set position at the position shown in FIG. 15.

counterclockwise rotation of the rotatable member from the "run position of FIG. 14 to the hold position of FIG. 16 (position 2 of FIG. 18) is resiliently opposed by the interaction of pin 100 of the detent member with rotor shaft cam surface 96. Since surfaces 108 and 110 of rotor shaft 22 intersect at the axis of rotation of the rotatable member, these surfaces do not interact with the planar end 110 of the detent member to oppose movement of the rotatable member between the positions shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 16. Therefore, rotation of member 8 to the position of FIG. 16 merely requires that sufficient torque be applied for moving the detent member against the spring 55 by the action of rotor shaft surface 96 and pin 100 on the detent member, pin 100 thereafter cooperating with surface 98 on the rotor shaft for maintaining surface 106 of the rotor shaft in parallel contact with end 110 of the detent member, thereby providing a maintained "hold position. It will, of course, be understood that, although only two maintained positions are shown, for rotary switches having different rotor constructions flange 30 may be provided with appropriate cam surfaces for providing three or more maintained positions in the range of positions between the positions shown in FIGS. 14 and 16.

Movement of the rotatable member from the "hold" position of FIG. 16 to the minute set" position of FIG. 17 (position 1 of FIG. 18) requires that sufficient torque be applied to cause peripheral edge 118 of rotor shaft cam surface 106 to move the detent member against spring 55, surface 120 of rotor shaft flange 30 being adapted to abut stop 114 of the frame to limit counterclockwise rotation of the rotatable member to the position shown in FIG. 17. Releasing the torque applied to the rotatable member for holding the rotatable member in the position shown in FIG. 17 enables end 110 of the detent member to act against peripheral edge 118 of rotor shaft surface 110 to return the rotatable member to the position shown in FIG. 16, thereby providing a momentary minute set" switch position at the position shown in FIG. 17.

With the construction of detent arrangement of the invention, the cam 95, comprising surfaces 96 and 98 of the rotor flange 30, can be dimensioned to provide the desired amount of resistance to movement of the rotatable member between the maintained positions, while the radial length of rotor shaft cam surfaces 108 and 110 can be selected to provide the desired resistance to movement from the maintained positions to the momentary positions.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a modification of the detent arrangement of FIGS. l-S, wherein rotation of the detent member in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions is limited to the momentary positions shown in FIGS. and 17 by restricting movement of the detent member outwardly from the frame. As shown in FIG. 13, limiting shoulders 122 and 124 on the detent member are adapted to contact the projection 104 when the rotatable member is moved to the momentary positions.

FIGS. 19-23 illustrate another embodiment ofa fourposition rotary switch in accordance with the invention having the switching characteristics shown in FIG. 18, this switch having a generally L-shaped frame A formed ofa unitary piece of insulating material with leg portion 200 perpendicular to the other leg portion 202 and with a wedge portion 203 between the leg portions for providing increased rigidity to the frame, as shown in FIG. 19.

A rotatable member B comprises a rotary shaft 203 having a conductor section C affixed thereto by a screw 204 [as shown in FIG. 19) or by a nut 205 (as shown in FIG. 22). The rotor conductor configuration is generally similar to that of rotor section C of FIG. 6. However. as shown in FIG. 22, insulating hub 206 and insulating end caps 208 and 210 have annular portions 212, 214 and 216, respectively, extending outwardly from the cylindrical rotor section, Annular portion 212 separates the spherical ends of contact members D1 and D2 and of contact members D3 and D4, while annular portion 216 and a circular flange 218 on the rotary shaft contact opposite surfaces of leg portion 200 of the frame for rotatably supporting the member 8' in an opening 219 in that leg portion.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, contact members D1'-D4' are elongated, turned parts having contact arm portions D1a-D4a', terminal portions D1b-D4b', and intermediate flange portions D1c-D4c', the contact members being supported in openings 220 in leg portion 202 of the frame with their contact arm portions perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member and with their spherical ends biased into wiping contact with the rotor section C. As shown in FIG. 23, the terminal portions of the contact members extend through openings 224 in an insulating end cap 222 which is attached to the frame by a screw 226 for clamping the flanged portions of the contact members between the end cap and leg portion 202 of the frame. The terminal portions of the contact members may be bent, as shown, for enabling the switch to be mounted on a printed circuit board 225, as shown in FIG. 21.

Referring to FIG. 21 a detent member E is slidably supported in a recess 226 in long leg portion 200 of the frame for movement along an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of rotatable member B, the narrow end of the detent member being received by and movable through an opening 227 in the end cap. A coil spring 228 disposed in the recess encircles the detent member and is cooperable with the end cap and with shoulders 230 and 232 on the detent member for biasing the detent member into contact with rotatable member B. For limiting the outward movement of the detent member from the frame, a stop washer 234 encircling the detent member and biased against the end cap by the spring is adapted to abut shoulders on the detent member (like shoulders 122 and 124, shown in FIG. 13) when the rotatable member is moved to either of the two momentary positions. The planar end 240 of the detent member E is cooperable with planar rotary shaft surfaces 242 and 244 for maintaining the rotatable member in the run and hold positions, respectively, rotation between those positions being resiliently opposed by the interaction of the detent member with a cam 246 defined by rotor shaft surfaces 242 and 244. The end of the detent member is further cooperable with curved surfaces 248 and 250 of the rotor shaft for resiliently opposing movement of the rotatable member from the range of positions between the two maintained positions for thereby establishing momentary minute set" and hour set" positions, rotation in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions being limited to those positions by the interaction of the stop washer with the detent member.

FIGS. 24-32 illustrate another four-position rotary switch in accordance with the invention, this switch employing six contact members and a cap for providing a four-terminal switch having the operating characteristics shown in FlG. 18. Referring to FIG. 24, a generally O-shaped frame A", formed from a unitary piece of insulating material, has two spaced parallel side portions 300 and 302 coupled by spaced side portions 304 and 306 perpendicular to side portions 300 and 302. A rotatable member B" is supported in openings 308 and 310 in side portions 300 and 302, respectively, by flange 312 of rotor snaft 314 and collar 316 fixed to the end of the rotor shaft by a screw 318. Six contact members Dl' D6" are maintained in openings 319 in side portion 304 of the frame by an end cap 320 fixed to the frame by screws 322 and 324 (shown in FIG. 25) with their contact arm portions Dla"-D6a" perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member and with their spherical ends being adapted to radially contact rotor section C". Contact member portions D1h"-D6- h" extend through openings 325 in the end cap to serve as switch terminals.

Referring to FIGS. 30-32, the rotor section C" comprises an insulating hub 326 mounted on rotor shaft 314 and carrying a first conductor 328 having cylindrical surface areas in circumferential bands X and Y of the rotor section (as shown in FIG. 27) and a second conductor 329 having cylindrical surface areas in circumferential bands Y and Z of the rotor section, the cylindrical surface areas forming parts of a cylinder having its axis on the axis of rotation ofthe rotatable member B and the remaining parts of the conductors being cut away or open. Circumferential bands X, Y and Z are cooperable with contact member pairs D1" and D2", D3" and D4", and D5" and D6", respectively. For preventing the spherical ends of the contact members from making contact with the rotor section when the contact members C see an open space in the rotor (See, for example, contact Di" in FIG. 27). a stop bar 330 molded in the frame has V" stops 331 associated with the contact members for limiting movemcltt of the spherical ends toward the rotor section, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 29. The spherical ends of the contact members provide break-before-make contact with the conductors on the rotor section, making it im possible to wipe contact material from one conductor to another conductor after extended use.

As shown in FIGS. 30-32, which illustrate the relative positions of the contact members and the rotor section C for position 4, the spherical ends of the Contact members assume positions along axes l, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Referring to FIG. 30, in circumferential band X of the rotor section surface area 332 of conductor 328 makes contact with arm portion Dla" when the rotor section is in positions I, 2, 3 and 4, and sur' face area 334 contacts arm portion D" in positions 2 and 3. In circumferential band Y. shown in FIG, 31, surface area 336 of conductor 328 contacts arm portion D40" in position I and surface area 338 contacts arm portion D40" in position 4. Also in band Y, surface area 340 of conductor 329 contacts arm portion D3a" in positions 3 and 4. In circumferential band Z, shown in FIG, 32, surface 342 of conductor 329 contacts arm portion D50" in positions 1 and 2 and contacts arm portion D6a" in positions 1, 2, 3 and 4. With this arrangement, conductor 328 electrically con nects contact arm portion Dla" to either one of contact arm portions D2a" and D40", while conductor 330 electrically connects contact arm portion D6a" to either one of contact arm portions D5a" and D3a" for the different angular positions of the rotor section.

To provide a rotary switch satisfying the electrical rc quirements of the table of FIG, 18, contact members Dl"D6 may be electrically interconnected by an end cap 344 to provide the switch with four terminals TIT4 (shown in FIG. 28), The contact members which correspond to those terminals are designated by numerals l-4 in the spherical ends of the respective contact arm portions illustrated in FIGS. 30 42. As shown in HQ. 28, contact member portions [)l/ D3h" and D511" extend through corresponding open ings in the cap to serve as switch terminals T1, T2 and T4, respectively, terminal T2 being connected to contact member D2 by a conductor 346 on the matrix cap and terminal T3 being connected to contact member D4" by conductor 348. Contact member portion D6b" may extend through an opening in the cap to serve as terminal T4; however, as shown in FIG. 28, an additional terminal T4 aligned with terminals 'I'l--T3 may be provided by the cap, the terminal being coir nected to contact member D6 by a conductor 350 on the cap,

The detent arrangement shown in FIG. 26 comprising a detent member E" slidahly supported in recess 352 of the frame, a coil spring 354 and a stop washer 356, is substantially identical to the detent arrangement described above with respect to FIG 21, in that the planar end 358 of the detent member is cooperable with two planar rotary shaft surfaces 360 and 362 for providing two maintained positions of the rotatable member. However, planar end 358 is cooperable with peripheral edges 364 and 366 of surfaces 360 and 362, respectively, for providing two momentary angular po sitions, rotation of the rotatable member being limited by the interaction of the stop washer with shoulders on the detent member (such as shoulders I22 and I24 of FIG. 13).

It is believed that the advantages and improved results furnished by the rotary switches and detent arrangements of the invention will be apparent from the foregoing description of several preferred embodiments of the invention. Various changes and niodilica tions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as sought to be defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A switch comprising a frame, a rotatable member supported by the frame for rotation into four predetermined angular positions and having a rotor section with first and second conductors thereon, each of the conductors having surface portions in first and second circumferential bands of the rotor section, the conductor surface portions in the first circumferential band being cooperable with first and third spaced contact menr bers supported by the frame and the conductor surface portions in the second circumferential band being cooperable with second and fourth spaced contact mern bers supported by the frame for selectively electrically connecting said first and fourth contact members to the third contact member in the first position of the rota! able member, to the second and third contact members, respectively, in the second position of the rotatable member, to the second contact member in the third position of the rotatable member, and to the third and second contact members, respectively. in the fourth position of the rotatable member.

2. A switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first conductor has first and second spaced cylindrical sur face portions in the first circumferential band cooper 11 able with the first and third contact members and has a third cylindrical surface portion in the second circumferential band cooperable with the fourth contact member for selectively electrically connecting the third contact member to either one or both or neither of the first and fourth contact members, and wherein the second conductor has a first cylindrical surface portion in the first circumferential band coopcrable with the first contact member and has second and third spaced cylindrical surface portions in the second circumferential band cooperable with the second and fourth contact members, respectively, for selectively electrically connecting the second contact member to either one or both or neither of the first and fourth contact members.

3. A switch as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first and third surface portions of the first conductor comprise first and second legs, respectively, of a generally L-shaped surface area and the second surface portion is generally rectangular, and wherein the first and second surface portions of the second conductor comprise first and second legs, respectively, of another generally L- shaped surface area and the third surface portion is generally rectangular.

4. A switch as set forth in claim 2, wherein said rotatable member further comprises electrically insulating means having cylindrical surface portions between the cylindrical surface areas of the first and second conductors for forming a cylindrical rotor section, and wherein the contact members are biased into contact with the rotor section for forming wiping contact with the conductors.

S. A switch as set forth in claim 4, wherein said electrically insulating means comprises a hub section carrying the first and second conductors, the hub having a cylindrical flange portion axially spacing the conductors, and first and second end caps respectively receiving opposite ends of the hub, said end caps having cylindrical surface portions fitting between the cylindrical surfaces of the conductors.

6. A switch as set forth in claim 2, wherein the rotatable member is rotatable through approximately 180, and wherein the first and third contact members make axially aligned contact with the rotor section at points spaced approximately l80on the circumference of the rotor section from the axially aligned contact points of the second and fourth contact members.

7. A switch as set forth in claim 2, further comprising detent means supported by the frame for providing the rotatable member with two maintained positions between two momentary positions.

8. A switch as set forth in claim 5, wherein the rotatable member is rotatable through approximately l80, and wherein the first and second contact members make axially aligned contact with the rotor section at points spaced approximately 180 on the circumference of the rotor section from the axially aligned contact points of the third and fourth contact members.

9. A switch as set forth in claim 8, further comprising detent means supported by the frame for providing the rotatable member with two maintained positions between two momentary positions.

10. A switch comprising a frame. a rotatable member supported by the frame and rotatable into four predetermined angular positions, the rotatable member having a rotor section with first and second electrical conductors thereon, the first conductor having surface portions in first and second circumferential bands of the rotor section and the second conductor having surface portions in the second and third circumferential bands of the rotor section, first, second and third pairs of spaced contact members supported by the frame and cooperable with the first, second and third circumferential bands, respectively, the first conductor selectively electrically interconnecting one of the first pair of contact members with the other of the first pair of contact members in the second and third positions of the rotatable member and with one of the second pair of contact members in the first and fourth positions of the rotatable member, the second conductor selectively electrically interconnecting one of the third pair of contact members with the other of the third pair of contact members in the first and second positions of the rotatable member and with the other of the second pair of contact members in the third and fourth positions of the rotatable member, the switch further including interconnection means electrically interconnecting the other of said first pair of contact members with the other of said second pair of contact members and for interconnecting the one of said second pair of contact members with the other of said third pair of contact members to provide a switch having first, second, third and fourth terminals.

11. A switch as set forth in claim 10, wherein the surface portions of said conductors are cylindrical and wherein the ends of the contact members are spherical and biased into contact with the cylindrical surface portions of the conductors, and wherein the switch further comprises means for preventing the contact members from contacting the rotor section at points other than the cylindrical surface portions of the conductors.

12. A switch as set forth in claim 10, wherein said interconnection means comprises a plurality of conductors formed on an insulating cap attached to the frame for maintaining the contact members in respective openings in the frame.

13. A switch as set forth in claim 10, further compris ing detent means supported by the frame for providing the rotatable member with two maintained and two momentary angular positions.

14. A switch comprising a unitary electrically insulating frame having a first frame portion substantially perpendicular to a second frame portion, a rotatable member supported in an opening in the first frame portion and having a rotor section with a plurality of cylindrical conductor surfaces thereon, a plurality of elongated electrically conductive contact members supported by the second frame portion substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member and having ends cooperable with the conductor surfaces, and a detent member slidably supported in a recess in the first frame portion for movement along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member and spring means in the recess for biasing one end of the detent member into contact with a cam surface on the rotatable member.

15. A switch as set forth in claim 14, wherein the contact members are maintained in openings in the first frame portion by a cap of insulating material secured to the frame.

16. A switch as set forth in claim 15, wherein the contact members are elongated contacts having a flange portion intermediate the first and second end portions thereof, the flange portion being held between the first frame portion and the cap.

17. A switch as set forth in claim 15, wherein the other end of the detent member is received by and 13 movable through an opening in the cap.

18. A switch as set forth in claim 17, further comprising a stop washer encircling the detent member between the cap and frame, the stop washer being cooperable with limiting means provided by the detent member for limiting the outward movement of the detent member relative to the frame.

19. A switch as set forth in claim 18, wherein the biasing means and the limiting means provided by the detent member comprise first and second pairs of shoulders, respectively, and wherein the spring means comprises a coil spring encircling the detent member.

20. A switch as set forth in claim 14, wherein the spring means comprises a coil spring encircling the detent member and cooperable with a wall of the recess and with shoulders on the detent member.

21. A switch as set forth in claim 14, further comprising stop means provided by the frame and cooperable with means provided by the rotatable member for limiting rotation of the rotatable member.

22. A switch as set forth in claim 15, wherein the plurality of contact members are maintained in recesses in the first frame portion by a piece of insulating material held against the first frame portion by a spring clip.

23. A switch as set forth in claim 15, wherein the frame is generally L-shaped, the first and second frame portions comprising first and second legs, respectively.

24. A switch as set forth in claim 23, further comprising a third frame portion spaced from and sustantially parallel to the first frame portion and a fourth frame portion spaced from and substantially parallel to the second frame portion for forming a generally O-shaped frame, the rotatable member being supported in the opening in the first frame portion and in a second opening in the third frame portion.

25. A switch as set forth in claim 24, further comprising a second plurality of elongated contact members supported by the fourth frame portion substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member and having ends cooperable with the conductor surfaces.

26. A switch comprising a frame, a rotatable member supported by the frame, and a detent member supported by the frame and biased into contact with the rotatable member, the rotatable member having first and second cams in different planes of rotation of the rotatable member, the first cam being cooperable with a first camming surface provided by the detent member for opposing movement of the rotatable member between a plurality of maintained angular positions within a predetermined range of angular rotation and the second cam being cooperable with a second camming surface provided by the detent member for opposing movement of the rotatable member from said range for providing at least one momentary switch position outside said range.

27. A switch as set forth in claim 26, wherein the first and second cams and the first and second camming surfaces cooperate to releasably maintain the rotatable member in first and second positions which form the ends of said predetermined range.

28. A switch as set forth in claim 27, wherein the second cam comprises first and second substantially planar surfaces intersecting substantially at the axis of rotation of the rotatable member, and wherein the second camming surface is a substantially planar detent surface provided by the detent member, and wherein the first cam and first camming means cooperate to cause the first and second planar surfaces of the rotatable member to be releasably maintained in parallel contact with the detent surface for establishing said first and second angular positions, respectively, of the rotatable member.

29. A switch as set forth in claim 28, wherein said detent member comprises a generally T-shaped member slidably supported in a recess in the frame and having a narrow end, a broad end, and a pair of shoulders and having a planar surface at its broad end forming said detent surface, and wherein spring means in the recess is cooperable with the shoulders for biasing the planar surface of the detent member into contact with the second cam of the rotatable member.

30. A switch as set forth in claim 28, wherein the first cam comprises surfaces of a flange on the rotatable member; and wherein the first camming surface is provided by a pin projecting from the detent member.

31. A switch as set forth in claim 30, wherhein the flange is cooperable with the detent member for maintaining the detent member in the recess.

32. A switch as set forth in claim 30, wherein surfaces provided by the flange are cooperable with stop means provided by the frame for limiting rotation of the rotatable member. 

1. A switch comprising a frame, a rotatable member supported by the frame for rotation into four predetermined angular positions and having a rotor section with first and second conductors thereon, each of the conductors having surface portions in first and second circumferential bands of the rotor section, the conductor surface portions in the first circumferential band being cooperable with first and third spaced contact members supported by the frame and the conductor surface portions in the second circumferential band being cooperable with second and fourth spaced contact members supported by the frame for selectively electrically connecting said first and fourth contact members to the third contact member in the first position of the rotatable member, to the second and third contact members, respectively, in the second position of the rotatable member, to the second contact member in the third position of the rotatable member, and to the third and second contact members, respectively, in the fourth position of the rotatable member.
 2. A switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first conductor has first and second spaced cylindrical surface portions in the first circumferential band cooperable with the first and third contact members and has a third cylindrical surface portion in the second circumferential band cooperable with the fourth contact member for selectively electrically connecting the third contact member to either one or both or neither of the first and fourth contact members, and wherein the second conductor has a first cylindrical surface portion in the first circumferential band cooperable with the first contact member and has second and third spaced cylindrical surface portions in the second circumferential band cooperable with the second and fourth contact members, respectively, for selectively electrically connecting the second contact member to either one or both or neither of the first and fourth contact members.
 3. A switch as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first and third surface portions of the first conductor comprise first and second legs, respectively, of a generally L-shaped surface area and the second surface portion is generally rectangular, and wherein the first and second surface portions of the second conductor comprise first and second legs, respectively, of another generally L-shaped surface area and the third surface portion is generally rectangular.
 4. A switch as set forth in claim 2, wherein said rotatable member further comprises electrically insulating means having cylindrical surface portions between the cylindrical surface areas of the first and second conductors for forming a cylindrical rotor section, and wherein the contact members are biased into contact with the rotor section for forming wiping contact with the conductors.
 5. A switch as set forth in claim 4, wherein said electrically insulating means comprises a hub section carrying the first and second conductors, the hub having a cylindrical flange portion axially spacing the conductors, and first and second end caps respectively receiving opposite ends of the hub, said end caps having cylindrical surface portions fitting between the cylindrical surfaces of the conductors.
 6. A switch as set forth in claim 2, wherein the rotatable member is rotatable through approximately 180*, and wherein the first and third contact members make axially aligned contact with the rotor section at points spaced approximately 180* on the circumference of the rotor section from the axially aligned contact points of the second and fourth contact members.
 7. A switch as set forth in claim 2, further comprising detent means supported by the frame for providing the rotatable member with two maintained positions between two momentary positions.
 8. A switch as set forth in claim 5, wherein the rotatable member is rotatable through approximately 180*, and wherein the first and second contact members make axially aligned contact with the rotor Section at points spaced approximately 180* on the circumference of the rotor section from the axially aligned contact points of the third and fourth contact members.
 9. A switch as set forth in claim 8, further comprising detent means supported by the frame for providing the rotatable member with two maintained positions between two momentary positions.
 10. A switch comprising a frame, a rotatable member supported by the frame and rotatable into four predetermined angular positions, the rotatable member having a rotor section with first and second electrical conductors thereon, the first conductor having surface portions in first and second circumferential bands of the rotor section and the second conductor having surface portions in the second and third circumferential bands of the rotor section, first, second and third pairs of spaced contact members supported by the frame and cooperable with the first, second and third circumferential bands, respectively, the first conductor selectively electrically interconnecting one of the first pair of contact members with the other of the first pair of contact members in the second and third positions of the rotatable member and with one of the second pair of contact members in the first and fourth positions of the rotatable member, the second conductor selectively electrically interconnecting one of the third pair of contact members with the other of the third pair of contact members in the first and second positions of the rotatable member and with the other of the second pair of contact members in the third and fourth positions of the rotatable member, the switch further including interconnection means electrically interconnecting the other of said first pair of contact members with the other of said second pair of contact members and for interconnecting the one of said second pair of contact members with the other of said third pair of contact members to provide a switch having first, second, third and fourth terminals.
 11. A switch as set forth in claim 10, wherein the surface portions of said conductors are cylindrical and wherein the ends of the contact members are spherical and biased into contact with the cylindrical surface portions of the conductors, and wherein the switch further comprises means for preventing the contact members from contacting the rotor section at points other than the cylindrical surface portions of the conductors.
 12. A switch as set forth in claim 10, wherein said interconnection means comprises a plurality of conductors formed on an insulating cap attached to the frame for maintaining the contact members in respective openings in the frame.
 13. A switch as set forth in claim 10, further comprising detent means supported by the frame for providing the rotatable member with two maintained and two momentary angular positions.
 14. A switch comprising a unitary electrically insulating frame having a first frame portion substantially perpendicular to a second frame portion, a rotatable member supported in an opening in the first frame portion and having a rotor section with a plurality of cylindrical conductor surfaces thereon, a plurality of elongated electrically conductive contact members supported by the second frame portion substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member and having ends cooperable with the conductor surfaces, and a detent member slidably supported in a recess in the first frame portion for movement along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member and spring means in the recess for biasing one end of the detent member into contact with a cam surface on the rotatable member.
 15. A switch as set forth in claim 14, wherein the contact members are maintained in openings in the first frame portion by a cap of insulating material secured to the frame.
 16. A switch as set forth in claim 15, wherein the contact members are elongated contacts having a flange portion intermediate the First and second end portions thereof, the flange portion being held between the first frame portion and the cap.
 17. A switch as set forth in claim 15, wherein the other end of the detent member is received by and movable through an opening in the cap.
 18. A switch as set forth in claim 17, further comprising a stop washer encircling the detent member between the cap and frame, the stop washer being cooperable with limiting means provided by the detent member for limiting the outward movement of the detent member relative to the frame.
 19. A switch as set forth in claim 18, wherein the biasing means and the limiting means provided by the detent member comprise first and second pairs of shoulders, respectively, and wherein the spring means comprises a coil spring encircling the detent member.
 20. A switch as set forth in claim 14, wherein the spring means comprises a coil spring encircling the detent member and cooperable with a wall of the recess and with shoulders on the detent member.
 21. A switch as set forth in claim 14, further comprising stop means provided by the frame and cooperable with means provided by the rotatable member for limiting rotation of the rotatable member.
 22. A switch as set forth in claim 15, wherein the plurality of contact members are maintained in recesses in the first frame portion by a piece of insulating material held against the first frame portion by a spring clip.
 23. A switch as set forth in claim 15, wherein the frame is generally L-shaped, the first and second frame portions comprising first and second legs, respectively.
 24. A switch as set forth in claim 23, further comprising a third frame portion spaced from and sustantially parallel to the first frame portion and a fourth frame portion spaced from and substantially parallel to the second frame portion for forming a generally O-shaped frame, the rotatable member being supported in the opening in the first frame portion and in a second opening in the third frame portion.
 25. A switch as set forth in claim 24, further comprising a second plurality of elongated contact members supported by the fourth frame portion substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member and having ends cooperable with the conductor surfaces.
 26. A switch comprising a frame, a rotatable member supported by the frame, and a detent member supported by the frame and biased into contact with the rotatable member, the rotatable member having first and second cams in different planes of rotation of the rotatable member, the first cam being cooperable with a first camming surface provided by the detent member for opposing movement of the rotatable member between a plurality of maintained angular positions within a predetermined range of angular rotation and the second cam being cooperable with a second camming surface provided by the detent member for opposing movement of the rotatable member from said range for providing at least one momentary switch position outside said range.
 27. A switch as set forth in claim 26, wherein the first and second cams and the first and second camming surfaces cooperate to releasably maintain the rotatable member in first and second positions which form the ends of said predetermined range.
 28. A switch as set forth in claim 27, wherein the second cam comprises first and second substantially planar surfaces intersecting substantially at the axis of rotation of the rotatable member, and wherein the second camming surface is a substantially planar detent surface provided by the detent member, and wherein the first cam and first camming means cooperate to cause the first and second planar surfaces of the rotatable member to be releasably maintained in parallel contact with the detent surface for establishing said first and second angular positions, respectively, of the rotatable member.
 29. A switch as set forth in claim 28, wherein said detent member comprises a generally T-shaped member slidably supported in A recess in the frame and having a narrow end, a broad end, and a pair of shoulders and having a planar surface at its broad end forming said detent surface, and wherein spring means in the recess is cooperable with the shoulders for biasing the planar surface of the detent member into contact with the second cam of the rotatable member.
 30. A switch as set forth in claim 28, wherein the first cam comprises surfaces of a flange on the rotatable member; and wherein the first camming surface is provided by a pin projecting from the detent member.
 31. A switch as set forth in claim 30, wherhein the flange is cooperable with the detent member for maintaining the detent member in the recess.
 32. A switch as set forth in claim 30, wherein surfaces provided by the flange are cooperable with stop means provided by the frame for limiting rotation of the rotatable member. 